Question

Role of perennial fodder crops intercropping with cowpea for higher green fodder production

Answer 1

Studies to assess fodder production potential of sorghum-legume intercroppings were undertaken during summer 1998 at Research farm, NWFP Agricultural University Peshawar - Pakistan. Sorghum and legumes - Moth beans, Soybean, Mungbean, S. W.C.31, S. W.C.8 and MN.C.1 were grown alone and in all possible Sorgo-legume intercrops. The latter three legumes were local germplasms of Cowpeas. Sole/intercrops were significantly different from each other in fresh fodder and dry matter yields. First data on these parameters were taken 50 days after emergence while second data on the same crop were taken 90 days after emergence. Sole/intercrops produced significantly higher fresh fodder (41.79 t ha-1) and dry matter (12.96 t ha-1) yields when harvested 90 days after emergence. Among sole/intercrops maximum fresh fodder (43.91 t ha,I) and dry matter (17.42 t ha-1) yields were produced by sorghum-mungbean intercrop. Sorghum alone produced fresh fodder and dry matter yields of 25 t ha'] and 8.08 t ha-1 respectively. Pure stand of mungbean produced 28.33 t Ita'] fresh fodder and 5.83 t ha-1 dry matter yields. Therefore, sorghum¬ mungbean intercropping is recommended for general cultivation in N. W.F.P. to enhance productivity.